Diana Chan’s Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Decadent and delicious, you can’t go wrong with this one pot classic.
Welcome to Put on a Spread, a recipe series that takes you inside the kitchens – and dining rooms – of some of our favourite home cooks. For this instalment, Melbourne-based cook and MasterChef winner Diana Chan shares her quick and easy recipe for mac and cheese.
If you’re looking for a crowd pleasing recipe that’s super easy to whip up, this stovetop mac and cheese is the perfect dish for you.
This simple classic consists of two delicious main elements: al dente pasta of your choice coated in a glossy cheese sauce. This mouthwatering dish serves 6-8 people and can be whipped up in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect midweek meal, with leftovers for the next day – if you manage to leave any behind!
Topped off with panko bread crumbs seasoned with garlic and paprika, every morsel of this delectable dish is one you will savour.
Ingredients
- 100g butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 750ml water
- 1ltr milk
- 450g uncooked elbow pasta
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 250g cheddar cheese (4 cups)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For the Panko Topping
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
Method
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Pour in water, and whisk until smooth. Pour in milk and whisk to combine.
- Add uncooked pasta, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium low heat. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella.
- To make the panko topping, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and paprika into a bowl. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add panko mixture.
- Toast the bread crumbs until light brown, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve mac and cheese warm, with a sprinkle of toasted panko on top.
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